1 of 1 Black smoke covers the only bridge between Russia and the Crimea region after explosions rocked the road structure on October 8, 2022 Photo: AFP Black smoke covers the only bridge between Russia and the Crimea region after explosions rocked the road structure on October 8, 2022 reached August 8, 2022 Photo: AFP
For the second time in a row, Ukrainian troops attacked Russian military positions on the annexed Crimean peninsula on Thursday morning (September 14th). According to Ukrainian media, the target was an S300 or the even more modern S400 antiaircraft system near the city of Yevpatoria.
It would be the second attack of its kind in Crimea in just a few weeks. This time, the Russian military only reported a drone attack that was allegedly repelled, without providing any further details.
The night before, Ukraine reported a spectacular attack on Sevastopol, the main base of the Black Sea Fleet. According to reports from Kiev, several cruise missiles hit a warship and a submarine. Both are badly damaged, but the Russian Ministry of Defense announced repairs.
For weeks, the Ukrainian military has been increasing its attacks on Crimea, the most intense and costly for the Russian side to date. After illegal annexation in 2014, the peninsula was converted by Russia into a military fortress with several naval and air force bases in the following years.
Shortly before the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry estimated the number of Russian troops in Crimea at 32,000. Nuclear weapons are also said to be stationed there.
Ukraine made its first violent attack on the peninsula in August 2022, attacking a military airport near Saki and destroying some warplanes.
The Kerch Bridge was blown up for the first time in October. Since then, there have been repeated attacks on the building, which is the most important supply route for Russian troops, most recently by maritime drones.
Black Sea Fleet base
Why is Crimea so important for both sides? In addition to the symbolic importance repeatedly emphasized by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the peninsula is also important from a military perspective.
The Black Sea Fleet stationed there is attacking Ukrainian cities with Kalibr cruise missiles which range from the interior of the country to the EU border. The same applies to aircraft stationed in Crimea with their missiles.
Crimea also plays a central role in supplying Russian troops in southern Ukraine. Without Crimea, it would be difficult for Moscow to enforce a naval blockade of Ukrainian ports.
Immediately after the invasion, Russia managed to occupy larger areas of Crimea and secure a land connection with mainland Russia. Since mid2023, the Ukrainian army has been trying to break this connection through its counteroffensive.
Among other things, the military is attacking all bridges that connect Crimea with the mainland. Western precision weapons are primarily used for this purpose, including British and French cruise missiles.
Retake Crimea and then negotiate?
The commanderinchief of the Ukrainian army, General Valeriy Zalushnyj, described Crimea as a “key factor” in the war against Russia.
Retaking the peninsula would significantly weaken Russia, but would not guarantee a military end to the war. Saluzhny warned that Russia could continue to fire from its own territory even after losing Crimea.
However, President Volodymyr Zelensky still hopes for significant progress in this area. According to him, the war began in Crimea and will end there. The best option for Kiev would be to advance into Crimea and then negotiate a Russian withdrawal. However, at this point it is difficult to imagine that the Kremlin would agree to this.